Floral, woody, oriental, fresh, gourmand… behind these words lies the key to choosing a perfume you really love. Scent families group fragrances by their main character: understanding them means you stop buying at random and finally target the scents made for you. Here is the complete guide, with a LEBONFLACON example for each family.
Key takeaway: identify the family or families you like (people are often loyal to two or three), then explore them. To get straight to the point, browse all our perfumes or filter by family using the links in this guide.
What is a scent family?
A scent family groups perfumes that share the same dominant note: woods, flowers, citrus, spices, sweet notes… It is a bit like genres in music. One perfume can mix several families (these are called accords), but it almost always has one main character that defines it.
A useful reminder: a perfume unfolds in three stages: the top notes (the first few minutes), the heart notes (the perfume's true face) and the base notes (the drydown, which lasts for hours). The family is felt mostly in the heart and base.
The main scent families
1. Floral perfumes
The largest and most timeless family: rose, jasmine, orange blossom, peony… Romantic, elegant and easy to wear, they shine especially in spring and summer.
Discover: LE BON YARA, a soft, bright floral. Explore all our floral perfumes.
2. Woody perfumes
Cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver: warm, deep, elegant. They last a long time and work in every season, with a real plus in autumn and winter.
Discover: LE BON AVENTUS (woody chypre) or LE BON WOOD for a more intense woody scent. See the woody perfumes.
3. Oriental and amber perfumes
Resins, vanilla, spices, amber: sensual, enveloping, sophisticated. They are the champions of longevity and the kings of the evening.
Discover: LE BON SATIN, an amber oriental with oud. Browse the oriental perfumes and the amber perfumes.
4. Fresh and aquatic perfumes
Citrus, marine notes, greenery: light, clean, energising. Perfect for daytime, the office and hot weather.
Discover: LE BON WANTEED or LA BONNE TERRE. See the aquatic perfumes and the freshest.
5. Gourmand and vanilla perfumes
Vanilla, caramel, praline, sweet fruits: comforting and addictive. Very popular in autumn and winter, and with anyone who loves soft trails.
Discover: LE BON PISTACHIO or LE BON BLANBÊTE. See the gourmand perfumes and vanilla perfumes.
6. Chypre and fruity perfumes
An elegant accord between citrus freshness, a moss/patchouli base and fruity touches. Refined and timeless.
Discover: LE BON SI (fruity floral chypre). See the chypre perfumes and fruity perfumes.
7. Musky perfumes
Soft, clean, enveloping: musk is the "skin" note that makes a perfume comforting and easy to wear every day.
Discover: LE BON STELLAIRE. See the musky perfumes.
How to find the family that suits you
- Think back to the perfumes you have loved: they often belong to the same family.
- Go by the season and the moment: fresh and aquatic during summer days, woody or oriental in the evening and in winter.
- Don't judge in the first 5 minutes: let the perfume evolve to its heart and base.
- Test on your skin, not just on paper: your skin chemistry changes everything.
To go from a family to a concrete selection, find out how to choose a perfume online without smelling it. Once you have spotted your favourites, use our method to test a perfume on skin and on a blotter.
Need a hand? Our guide find my perfume points you in the right direction with a few questions.
Scent families and longevity
Not all families last the same: orientals and woods cling for hours, while citrus and aquatic scents are more volatile. Good news: our creations are extraits concentrated at 30% (more than 8 hours on the skin, up to 72 hours on clothing), which gives even the freshest families real staying power. For trails that last, see our long-lasting perfumes and our 7 tips to make your perfume last.
Good to know: every order earns you loyalty points that convert into discounts, and referrals earn you even more. A chance to try a new family without hesitating. Order samples first to explore with confidence.
Frequently asked questions about scent families
What are the main scent families?
The main families are: floral, woody, oriental (amber), fresh or aquatic, gourmand and vanilla, chypre, fougère and musky. Most perfumes combine two or three of these families around a dominant one.
How do I know which perfume family suits me?
Look at the perfumes you have already loved: they often belong to the same family. Take the season and the moment into account, test on your skin and let the perfume evolve to its base notes before deciding.
Can a perfume belong to several families?
Yes. Most creations combine several families (for example woody-chypre or floral-gourmand). They are classified by their dominant family, but it is this blend that gives them their personality.
Ready to find your family? Browse all our extraits de parfum and let your favourites guide you.
